Juvenile Firesetting

Brittany Peters; Bradley Freeman

doi:10.1016/j.chc.2015.08.009

Juvenile Firesetting

Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2016 Jan;25(1):99-106. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2015.08.009. Epub 2015 Oct 21.

Authors

Brittany Peters¹, Bradley Freeman²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 1601 23rd Avenue South, Suite 3023, Nashville, TN 37212, USA.
² Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 1601 23rd Avenue South, Suite 3023, Nashville, TN 37212, USA. Electronic address: bradley.w.freeman@vanderbilt.edu.

PMID: 26593122
DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2015.08.009

Abstract

Juvenile firesetting is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Male gender, substance use, history of maltreatment, interest in fire, and psychiatric illness are commonly reported risk factors. Interventions that have been shown to be effective in juveniles who set fires include cognitive behavior therapy and educational interventions, whereas satiation has not been shown to be an effective intervention. Forensic assessments can assist the legal community in adjudicating youth with effective interventions. Future studies should focus on consistent assessment and outcome measures to create more evidence for directing evaluation and treatment of juvenile firesetters.

Keywords: Arson; Conduct disorder; Delinquency; Firesetting; Juvenile.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
Conduct Disorder / psychology*
Conduct Disorder / therapy
Firesetting Behavior* / psychology
Firesetting Behavior* / therapy
Humans
Juvenile Delinquency* / legislation & jurisprudence
Juvenile Delinquency* / psychology
Juvenile Delinquency* / rehabilitation